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Opinion Writing: State What You Believe & Back It Up

Students learn the OREO plan for opinion writing — Opinion, Reasons, Examples, Opinion again — turning “I just think so” into a paragraph that actually convinces.

Grade 3Writing45 minutes1 class periodReading WorkshopExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓State a clear opinion.
  • ✓Support it with reasons and examples.
  • ✓Use linking words (because, also, for example).
  • ✓Write a concluding sentence that restates the opinion.
Essential Question

Anyone can say “that’s the best.” But how do you write an opinion that actually makes a reader believe you?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Build the Paragraph · Interactive

The OREO Builder

Project this and tap each part of the OREO plan. Students see what each part does and a model sentence — the recipe for a convincing opinion paragraph.

🍪 Tap each part of the OREO opinion planTry it

Tap a letter to see what that part of an opinion paragraph does.

The Lesson · Reading Workshop (Mini-Lesson · Practice · Share)

45 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Connect — Just Because?

5 min

“Pizza is the best food.” Says who — and why?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • State a fun opinion with no reason.
  • Ask if that convinces anyone.
  • Set the goal: back up an opinion.

🎒 Student Actions

  • React to the unsupported opinion.
  • Explain why reasons matter.
  • Predict the plan.
2

Teach — Model OREO

10 min

Teacher builds an opinion paragraph.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Introduce the OREO plan.
  • Model: opinion → reasons → example → opinion again.
  • Point out the linking words.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Follow the OREO plan.
  • Notice the linking words.
  • See the structure of a paragraph.
3

Active Engagement — Build Together

12 min

Class uses the OREO Builder.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Tap each OREO part in the tool.
  • Write a class opinion paragraph together.
  • Add linking words at each step.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Explore each OREO part.
  • Help write the class paragraph.
  • Use linking words.
4

Independent Practice — Your Turn

13 min

Students write their own opinion.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give a fun prompt (best season, best snack).
  • Have students draft an OREO paragraph.
  • Circulate for reasons + examples.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Choose an opinion.
  • Draft using the OREO plan.
  • Add reasons, an example, a closing.
5

Share — Share the Opinion

5 min

Students share and persuade.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Invite students to read their opinions.
  • Ask if the reasons convinced the class.
  • Hand out the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Read the opinion paragraph.
  • Point out the reasons.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

CCSS
W.3.1

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

CCSS
W.3.1b

Provide reasons that support the opinion.

CCSS
W.3.1c

Use linking words and phrases to connect opinion and reasons.

CCSS
W.3.1d

Provide a concluding statement or section.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Provide sentence starters for each OREO part.
  • Word bank of linking words (because, also, so).
  • Draw an example before writing it.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Provide an OREO paragraph frame to fill in.
  • Start with one reason before two.
  • Allow dictating the opinion first.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Add a counterargument (“Some people think… but…”).
  • Write two full reasons with two examples.
  • Turn the paragraph into a persuasive poster.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 📓Writing notebooks
  • 💻The OREO Builder
  • 📝Opinion prompt cards
  • 🗂️Linking-word word bank
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

opinionwhat you believe or feelreasonwhy you hold the opinionexamplea specific case that shows a reasonlinking worda word that connects ideasbecausea linking word giving a reasonconclusionthe ending that restates the opinionpersuadeto convince a readersupportto back up with reasons
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What does the OREO plan stand for?
Opinion, Reasons, Examples, Opinion (again).
QUESTION 2
Write an opinion sentence and one reason using a linking word.
Sample: “Recess is the best part of the day because it lets us run and play with friends.”
QUESTION 3
Why does an opinion paragraph need reasons and examples?
They back up your opinion and make it convincing — without them, it’s just “because I said so.”

Going deeper? Write a letter that persuades.

Have students use the OREO plan to write a short letter persuading someone (a longer recess, a class pet), then trade and give feedback. A printable OREO planner is in the ELA library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Opinion WritingFlip
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Opinion WritingQuiz
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Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Opinion WritingPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: because, conclusion, example, linking word, opinion, persuade, reason, support
  1. the ending that restates the opinion
  2. to back up with reasons
  3. to convince a reader
  4. a specific case that shows a reason
  5. a word that connects ideas
  6. a linking word giving a reason
  7. why you hold the opinion
  8. what you believe or feel

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does the OREO plan stand for?
  2. Write an opinion sentence and one reason using a linking word.
  3. Why does an opinion paragraph need reasons and examples?
Answer key — Part A: 1) conclusion · 2) support · 3) persuade · 4) example · 5) linking word · 6) because · 7) reason · 8) opinion
Part B: 1) Opinion, Reasons, Examples, Opinion (again). 2) Sample: “Recess is the best part of the day because it lets us run and play with friends.” 3) They back up your opinion and make it convincing — without them, it’s just “because I said so.”